When Fate Steps in

Book excerpt: Is life a predestined series of events, or is life what you make of it? Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to follow the path to happiness, life has other plans for you. Such is the case for Mary Margaret and Elana, the daughters of Doris Madison. The rural area around Chatsworth, England in 1845 is a world centered on class differences. The aristocracy holds the money and power, and the lower class work for them without much chance of reward or advancement. Doris has brought her girls up to work hard and be content with their lot in life. The wealthy have been brought up to believe themselves to be far above the commoners, although some can be more ignorant about it than others.